"Center of Joy"

( Publication #13 - August, 1997 )

© Dr. Carolyn

This month's publication features a guest writer, Solomon Landers

"God's Grace Leads to Joy"
© By - Solomon Landers

Appreciating God's grace leads to Joy. We often hear about "Grace." What is it, and what is its relationship to Joy? Well, think of Grace as a needed but unexpected gift from a loving friend. Would that not be a source of great joy? The gift of indwelling eternal life through our faith in Christ, a gift that benefits us every day, is a source of great joy. This gift connects us to the Divine Lifestream and makes us Children of God. It is a gift, because it is given freely and is "unearned" on our part. This is Grace, because the meaning of Grace in the New Testament [Greek, "charis"] is, gift. It represents an "unmerited favor," a lovingkindness freely given us from the Heart of God. In the Bible, Grace and Joy are related linguistically, as well. While Grace is the term "charis," Joy is "chara." A gift, a favor, a kindness---these bring joy!

Share Joy with others! We do not want merely to be recipients of Grace and Joy. "Become imitators of God," Paul says (Ephesians 5:1). Share the illumination and warmth of the Divine emanation of Love by expressing the lovingkindness of Grace to all---even to those difficult to deal with. Love changes people for the better, just as expressing love heals and expands our own hearts. I once had a proverbial "boss from Hades" whose attitude changed only after I directed toward him kind and considerate thoughts, supported by action, every day. Joy is infectious. As we spread Grace and Joy, it comes back to us in manifold measure, and our own spiritual development is enhanced. In being kind as God is kind, we open up new worlds of healing, peace, and JOY!

Thanks for the opportunity to assist your most excellent work!

Solomon

Center of Joy is the monthly publication of the Lifestream Center for Creative Living. It is devoted to disseminating "Good News" that gives testimony to the positive application of the principles of living in the flow of the Lifestream.   A new article will be presented each month. We invite you to apply these simple principles in your life and share your joyful results in a brief message with the world via this forum.

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© 1997, Carolyn Odom Burleson, Ph.D.

Although the articles of this publication are copyrighted, they may be used by anyone to help spread JOY and Light. The following restrictions apply:

• None of the material herein may be used for any commercial purpose without prior written consent of the author.
• Articles must not be edited. They must be used in their entirety.
• The copyright signature above and this information must be included at the end of the article.
• This applies to the printed page. On the Internet, however, you must link to the article rather than put up your own page.

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PRINCIPLES OF JOY:

• #1 We can always start by counting our blessings. In spite of all the seeming turmoil of life, there is always a blessing somewhere to be found. Just the fact that we are able to look for a blessing is a sure sign that there is one. There is something inherent within the act of counting blessings that guarantees that as long as you keep counting, you will never run out of blessings to count.
• #2 Sing . Sing a joyful song. Sing to your heart’s content. It does not matter whether you sound like an opera singer or a mouse. What matters is that your heart is filled with Joy. Start singing a joyful song, and don’t stop until your heart is singing with you!

  #3 Share your talent to the delight of others. Whatever gift God has given you, give likewise to humanity. If you are a writer, write a message to inspire and uplift someone. If your are an artist, create a work of beauty that gladdens the heart of others. If you are a composer or musician, create or play a musical composition which makes the heart thrill. If you have the gift of gab, gab with kindness and joy so that others will be encouraged and inspired by your words. If you are a comedian, create wholesome laughter without obscenity. If your gift is healing, keep your own heart merry. “A merry heart does good like a medicine.”

  #4 Work with Joy. Whatever work you do, do it with delight, knowing that it is an important function in the overall service to humanity.

  #5 Live in the center of your Joy,
  and watch how contagious your joy becomes.

  
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